Recycled refrigerator polystyrene used in toys

British firm Axion Polymers Ltd. is selling polystyrene recovered from scrapped refrigerators for use in toys and promotional trinkets.

Axion said the polymer is 100 percent recycled and meets stringent British standards for materials migration in toy production. It also meets standards for flammability and toxicity.

Axion, of Manchester, England, said its PS01 post-appliance PS has been used in millions of plastic extruded pencils and a recent large order to Dongguan, China, will be molded into items for the promotional gift industry.

The polymer is a natural white but can be colored to any shade, according to Axion director Keith Freegard.

The PS, because it is derived from food-contact components in refrigerators, has no history of heavy metal contamination.